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South Wales

Crickhowell

River Usk – Craig y Cilau: Crags and Caves loop from Crickhowell

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

South Wales

Crickhowell

River Usk – Craig y Cilau: Crags and Caves loop from Crickhowell

Moderate

4.4

(25)

123

hikers

River Usk – Craig y Cilau: Crags and Caves loop from Crickhowell

03:34

11.4km

390m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 22, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 1.83 km for 0 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

528 m

Crickhowell Bridge

Highlight • River

Crickhowell bridge is a pretty crossing point of the River Usk.

Crickhowell itself is a small market town with the remains of a motte and bailey castle built by the Normans.

Tip by

558 m

The River Usk rises on the northern slopes of the Black Mountain (y Mynydd Du), Wales, in the westernmost part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Initially forming the boundary between Carmarthenshire and Powys, it flows north into Usk Reservoir, then east by Sennybridge to Brecon before turning southeast to flow by Talybont-on-Usk, Crickhowell and Abergavenny after which it takes a more southerly course.

Beyond the eponymous town of Usk it passes the Roman legionary fortress of Caerleon to flow through the heart of the city of Newport and into the Severn estuary at Uskmouth beyond Newport at Newport Wetlands. The river is about 125 km (78 mi) long.

The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal follows the Usk for most of the length of the canal.

Tip by

638 m

Nant Onneu Meadow

Highlight (Segment) • Forest

1.46 km

Llangattock Village and Canal

Highlight • Cycleway

The village of Llangattock is an excellent base for exploring the Brecon Beacons National Park. There are plenty of accommodation options and places to eat and drink in the village, while Crickhowell's amenities are just a short walk across the bridge.

With the imposing gritstone plateau of Mynydd Llangatwg and the limestone quarries and cave systems of the Llangattock Escarpment to the south and Pen Cerrig-calch and the Neolithic interest of Table Mountain to the north, there's plenty of superb hiking on the village's doorstep.

Meanwhile, a short drive to the west are the Central Beacons, crowned by Pen y Fan, the highest British peak south of Snowdonia.

Tip by

1.82 km

Roman Steps by the Canal Bridge

Highlight • Trail

In-wall stairs built for pedestrians to use to climb down on to the canal below, these steps are marked with a bridle path sign just nestled to the side of the Roman bridge that sits over the canal.

Tip by

4.18 km

View of the Brecon Beacons

Highlight • Viewpoint

4.39 km

Craig y Cilau: Crags and Caves

Highlight • Natural Monument

The walk along Craig y Cilau is a pretty special experience. The imposing rock faces of the limestone escarpment are home to a really diverse variety of rare wild plants. Add to this a variety of bird life and bats in some of the extensive cave systems found here and you really do have a nature reserve to enjoy.

You will find some steep sections to test your strength, and likely some muddy and slippery paths, so come appropriately prepared.

Tip by

5.96 km

View of Craig y Cilau

Highlight • Natural Monument

6.94 km

Coetgae Du

Forest

11.4 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.22 km

3.21 km

1.27 km

1.26 km

1.19 km

217 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.82 km

2.10 km

2.09 km

1.62 km

1.13 km

611 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (370 m)

Lowest point (60 m)

Weather

Sunday 19 July

24°C

7°C

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Comments

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River Usk – Craig y Cilau: Crags and Caves loop from Crickhowell

Crickhowell Bridge

River Usk

Nant Onneu Meadow

Llangattock Village and Canal

Roman Steps by the Canal Bridge

View of the Brecon Beacons

Craig y Cilau: Crags and Caves

View of Craig y Cilau

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